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HUMANITY 



A DRAMA IN FOUR ACTS 



BY 

C. R. MACAULEY. 



PRICE, TWENTY-FIVE CENTS 



FOR SALE AT 

THE MOTION PICTURE FORUM 

Si6 FIFTH AVENUE 
NEW YORK CITY 






Copyright, 191 7, by C. R. Macauley 
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 



/ 

m I ! 1317 

CI.D 46847 






HUMANITY 

BY 

C. R. MACAULEY. 



ACT I. 

Scene. The Black Emperor's Court. A magnificently furnished room in the pal- 
ace, whose walls are hung with the pictures of great monarchs of all ages. 

Discovered. As the curtain rises, the Black Emperor is seated at a table toying 
with his jewelled sword. 

Emperor. You great men of power, whose faces look down on me, strengthen me 
in my great ambition. Though I am defeated and the world thinks I am 
no longer powerful, it will yet have cause to cry out in pain, as my hand 
closes about the throat of himianity. 

{The Emperor looks up as his Chief of Secret Service, Peter Scarth, enters 
and bows to him) 

Scarth. Your Majesty, I have the pleasure to report, that the plague is sweeping 
over Belsermania. Soon the inhabitants will have deserted the great oil 
country, and the World Cotirt can have no objection when you ask control 
of that valuable territory. 

Emperor. Your report is gratifjdng, Scarth. I will not be ungrateful when my plans 
are carried to success. 

Scarth. But, your Majesty, suppose the World Court should refuse to let you have 

these lands? 

Emperor. They cannot object. Have you made a complete record of the trans- 
action? 

Scarth. Yes, your Majesty, I ordered Baron Stein, who is known in America, as 
Spencer Stone, to have Wm. Banfield, the American^millionaire, make the 
purchase. Banfield, the greedy fool, did exactly as Stone suggested, and 
the lands were then conveyed into your imperial possession. When you 
strike again, you will be able to use this great oil country and profit by the 
experiences of the last war. 

Emperor. Good. We can use Banfield more. He is greedy, and I understand that 
next to Wayne Hamilton, he is most valuable for his ability to concentrate 
food supplies. By the way, how is our plan to control Hamilton working 
out? 



SCARTH. Excellently, your Majesty. The Baroness Alma Von Krieg, who is known 
as Alma La Guerre in America, has already interested Hamilton in her pre- 
tended occult powers. Every great man has a weakness, pardon your 
Majesty, and we have found Hamilton's. He believes that the dead can 
communicate with the living. 

Emperor. Sometimes I doubt myself whether or not this can be true. 

ScARTH. In this case, we make no question of truth. We must find some way of 
controlling Hamilton, so that when your Majesty strikes again, and he is 
employed as a Railroad genius to mass suppHes against you, we may be 
able to know through the Baroness all his plans. 

Emperor. How have you accomplished your plan? 

ScARTH. In my ofi&ce there is a wireless telautograph, through which I can commu- 
nicate instantly with Alma, letting her know what takes place here, so that 
her predictions may seem to be of a supernatural order. 

Emperor. Good. Is everything else arranged? 

ScARTH. Yes, your Majesty, so far as Hes in my power. My agents are ready 
throughout the world to carry out your orders, if the League of Nations 
attempts to block your plans. Only one thing annoys me. The other 
nations are sending relief workers into the region of the epidemic and I fear 
that they may discover that we are killing off the people by typhus. 

Emperor. In that case, you have my orders to kill any one who stands in our way. 

ScARTH. Good, your Majesty. Nothing will halt me in carrying out your supreme 
commands. 



Scene 2. Act 1. 
Banfield's reception room in America. 
A modem millionaire's reception room. 

Discovered. As the curtain rises, Spencer Stone is seated on the end of a lounge. 
There are sounds of laughter of men and women heard off stage. Banfield 
enters. 

Stone. Have you heard from this wonderful woman, who is so peculiarly gifted? 

Banfield. No, and frankly, Mr. Stone, I do not beheve she will come to make a 
test of her powers. 

Stone. Yet, Hamilton believes in her, and there may be something in her claims. 

Banfield. Bosh! For a really practical railroad genius, Hamilton has some of the 
most foolish notions I ever heard. Think of it! A man who, by his won- 
derful mathematical genius, was able to concentrate and hurl the greatest 
mass of ammimition and suppHes ever gathered in the history of the world 
against the Black Emperor, so foolish as to beheve the ravings of a beauti- 
ful woman, who says she can communicate with the dead! 

Stone. I sometimes doubt, Mr. Banfield, whether it is wise to consider Hamilton 
as a normal man. I can hardly trust myself to speak indifferently on this 
matter, because of the relations that Hamilton and I both bear to some 
one who is very dear to you. 

Banfield. You mean my niece Helen. 

4 



Stone. Exactly. I think it would be far better if she were informed of Hamilton's 
peculiar beliefs. 

Banfield. But she already knows, and it does not seem to affect her greatly. Of 
course, if I find anything wrong, it will be my duty to interfere, but I be- 
lieve Helen is a sensible girl, and I know she does not love anyone as yet. 

Stone. If that is really true, you make me happy. Of course, you are aware of my 
sentiments in regard to your niece. 

Banfield. And I wish you all the luck in the world. 

{Enter Helen) 
Banfield. You come in time, we were discussing you. 
Helen. Something good, I hope. 
Stone. How could it be otherwise? 

(Enter Hamilton) He is tall, young and forceful in appearance.) 

Hamilton. Am I late? 

Helen. That depends on what you are hurrying to be in time for, Mr. Hamilton. 

Hamilton. I hurried, first to see you, and second, to witness the demonstration 
we have arranged for Miss La Guerre. 

Helen. Then you are, both late and early. 

Stone. Mr. Hamilton explained to me the other day about the peculiar power of 
Miss La Guerre. What do you think of her. Miss Banfield? 

Helen. I can hardly say. I have never met her. 

Hamilton. You will be interested in her, I am sure. 

Helen. Is she beautiful? 

Hamilton. Your question is an odd one. To be frank, I have been so interested 
in her strange powers that the rest escaped me. But on the whole, I should 
say she was good looking. Not beautiful, perhaps, but a woman of magnet- 
ism. 

Banfield. Just the description one would expect from one so mechanically in- 
clined as you. Imagine being the friend of a beautiful and mysterious 
woman, and not able to tell what she looks like. 

Hamilton. Perhaps that is because I am interested elsewhere. 

Helen. Where, for instance? 

{Enter Mary Hamilton) 

Hamilton. My sister's timely arrival answers the question. I am interested in 
her wonderful devotion to the stricken people of Belsermania. 

Mary. I hope you are not using me to cover some evasive answer, Wayne. 

Stone. I am afraid you have expressed a sisterly judgment. 

Mary. I presume you know I am leaving with the hospital unit tomorrow for the 
stricken Kingdom? Lest I forget it before I go, I want to thank you, Mr. 
Banfield, and you, Mr. Stone, for your very generous donations to our 
relief fund. 



Stone and Banfield. Not at all. 

Mary. But it was very generous of both of you. And all the world has been gene- 
rous. Since the great League of Nations was formed, there seems to be an 
exalted spirit of brotherhood in all the peoples of the world. 

(Mary exits, joined by Hamilton and Helen) 

Stone. Mr. Banfield, I trust your purchase and resale of the oil lands in Belser- 
mania tiuned out profitably. 

Banfield. Very much so, and I am deeply indebted to you for your suggestion in 
the matter. 

Stone. There is a great deal more money to be made, if you care to accept another 
commission. My principal in this matter is very pleased with the trans- 
action. 

Banfield. I am curious to know the name of your principal. 

Stone. I have just received permission to tell you. He who is known to the world 
as the Black Emperor, is my principal. 

Banfield. The Black Emperor! What can he want? Surely he did not buy for 
investment? 

Stone. Mr. Banfield, you have always shown yotirself to be a cautious man. If 
you will continue to do so, I can show you how to make millions. More 
than you ever hoped to have will be yours if you follow out the further 
plans of my Emperor. Do you accept? 

Banfield. Without question. Frankly, I have no other object in the world than 
to make money 

(Enter several women and men from the other room, among them Helen) 

Helen. The lady of mystery is here. 

(The guests chatter excitedly and look off to the other room as Hamilton, 
Mary, and Alma La Guerre enter) 

Hamilton. Ladies and gentlemen, this is Miss Alma La Guerre, and in meeting 
her, I trust we will all imderstand that there are more things true in this 
world of science, than we have ever dreamed of. Who knows but our in- 
vestigations tonight may have a world-wide significance. 

(Alma hows to the group, who how in turn) 

Alma. I am afraid Mr. Hamilton has led you to believe more than I can possibly 
fulfill. I am but one of those on the outer rim of a great circle, whose center 
is knowledge and power that may some day lead us over the gap of eternity 
into understanding of what lies beyond the thing we now know under the 
name of death. 

Stone. May I request to be introduced particularly to Miss La Guerre? While 
I do not believe what she professes, I am more than willing to learn belief. 

(Hamilton advances with Alma to Stone and introduces him) 

Helen (aside to Banfield) She is beautiful, but I do not Hke her eyes. There is 
something strange in them. 

Hamilton. If the ladies and gentlemen will come to the conservatory, I know that 
Miss La Guerre will be glad to instruct us. 



Stone crosses to her furtively and she 



(All exit except Stone and Alma, 
nods swiftly to him) 

Stone. They do not suspect anything? 

Alma. It is absurdly easy. The American genius, Hamilton, who was great enough 
to concentrate the defeat on our Emperor, is almost as clay in my hands. 
Were it not for my belief that the Emperor is right, and that a strong hand 
divinely appointed should rule the world, I could hate myself for the base 
trick I am playing. I almost feel as though I were the champion of mili- 
tarism making ready to slay democracy. 

Stone. You are not in love with him? That would be foolish. Besides he loves 
Helen Banfield. 

Alma. How do you know that? 

Stone. A man always knows his rival, but I have less to fear from him than I 
thought. Banfield has fallen neatly into my plan. I will use his lust for 
money to make him serve the Emperor. If I can but once persuade him 
to journey to the Empire, all will be worked out to my satisfaction. 

Alma. We are wasting time. His sister goes to the stricken country. Give orders 
to have her watched. The rest is all at the feet of chance. Come, let us go , 
the fools are waiting, and I must perform my little piece. 



Scene 3. Act 1. 

The Council Room in the Cotu"t of Nations. This is a tremen- 
dous hall draped with flags of all the nations of the earth. At the 
table are seated representatives from all the nations. 

Discovered. As the curtain rises, a great clock is just striking three. The chair- 
man rises and the others look at him. He points to 2 vacant seats near him. 

Chairman. It is the appointed hour for the first great conference in the interest of 
HUMANITY. I note some of you glancing at these vacant seats. Let me 
assure you that there is no need to fear. A slight delay has prevented the 
Emperor from being here on time, but a telegram assures me he will arrive 
in a few moments. Then there will sit down together in brotherhood and 
concord a Council representing the highest aim of civihzation. 

{The members applaud) 

Chairman. Scarcely a year ago many of us around this table were engaged in the 
pursuit of the most terrible war in the history of the world. But that is all 
forgotten now in our newer task. {Chairman glances off as the Black Em- 
peror and one of his counsellors enter. All rise and bow. The Emperor waves 
for them to be seated) 

Emperor. My compliments, gentlemen of the nations and my apology for the delay. 
I beg you to sit down that we may the sooner begin the first meeting of 
this most wonderful body. 

(There is vigorous applause as the Council is seated) 

Chairman. Otu- business, for this first meeting is brief. You will all find before 
you, the voting blanks on the question of whether secret correspondence 
between nations shall be aboHshed. I think we are all agreed that our 
opinions are formed somewhat in advance, due to the wide discussion that 
has already gone over the world. If there is any member who wishes to 
discuss this measure before voting, I will yield the floor. 



(After a pause in which no one rises, the Chairman proceeds) 

Then, gentlemen, I take it we are ready for the vote. I await your pleasure. 

{The various members vote on the slips of paper before them and an 
attendant gathers them up and brings them to the Chairman, who glances at 
them.) 

I beg to annoiince the result of the vote. By unanimous ballot the 
Nations of the earth have voted to abolish forever all secret correspondence 
between nations. 

{The members applaud) 

We have before us no immediate subject for a vote. If there are no 
objections, I will resign my position as chairman to the gentleman whose 
name follows mine in alphabetical order as was agreed on as our method 
of selecting chairmen for our monthly meetings. Before I resign I wish to 
tender my sympathies to the Coiinsellors for Belsermania on behalf of this 
meeting, which I know sympathizes with the afflicted people of that country, 
and hopes for their speedy relief. 

{The Chairman resigns his place and another man takes it. The meeting 
adjourns) 



ACT II. 

Scene. Wing in field hospital in Belsermania. Typhus patients on cots. 

Discovered. Mary Hamilton attending one of the patients. She is in the uniform 
of a Red Cross nurse. A doctor stands by her side. 

Mary. Are we making any headway against the plague. Dr. Burger? 

Burger. I fear not. It must run its course. Yesterday there were two thousand 
additional cases. My nation is sending a fresh medical corps. 

Mary. The response of the nations has been glorious. It must be the influence of 
the great League of Nations. To think that men who only a year ago 
fought each other to take life, are now fighting side by side to save life. Your 
country, in particular, has furnished the greatest doctors. 

Burger. The Emperor has ordered hundreds of his doctors to serve. He is deeply 
in love with the people of Belsermania, and his heart is wrimg with pity 
for them. 

Mary. And to think that only a year ago we believed him to be a cruel man. 

{Surgeon-Capt. Glegge Thomas of the British Medical forces enters) 

Capt. Thomas. Good evening, Miss Hamilton. My compliments, Dr. Burger. 
I have the sorrow to report that fifteen of my patients suffered relapses 
this evening. They died very swiftly. 

Burger. We can but do all we are able, Capt. Thomas. In my report to the home 
medical staff, I am making particular mention of the devoted bravery of 
the British Medical officers, particularly yourself. 

(Dr. Burger exits with the reports, Capt. Thomas turns to Mary quest- 
ioningly and looks about to see if they are observed) 

Thomas. Mary — that is — er, Miss Hamilton. 

8 



Mary. I think Mary is better. 

(She extends her hands and Capt. Thomas clasps them in his. It is evident 
that their friendship is ripening into love) 

Thomas. Your friendship has meant a great deal to me in these trying weeks. I 
feel that I must confide in some one. 

Mary. What is the matter? 

Thomas. I have made a terrible discovery. Slowly it has been forced into my 
knowledge that there is a systematic plot to spread this terrible epidemic. 
I believe that the surgeons of the Black Emperor are slowly but surely 
wiping the people of this region off the face of the earth. 

Mary. My God ! It is too horrible for belief, that they should deliberately take the 
lives of these innocent people. 

{Dr. Burger and Scarth of the Secret Service enter and listen as Mary 
speaks. They withdraw hastily after exchanging glances) 

Thomas. Yet I am convinced that it is true, and before tonight is passed I will write 
my suspicions to the British Medical staff. Here comes your American 
friend. Dr. Anderson. It might be well to tell him. 

(Dr. Anderson has entered and comes close to them. He bows. Thomas 
shows him his reports) 

Thomas. Every one of them showed evidence of having been reinoculated. 

Anderson. In heaven's name, what can be their object? It seems unjust and out 
of the spirit of our recently declared brotherhood, but I can think of only 
one man who might order such a slaughter. 

Thomas. Exactly, will you come with me? 



Scene 2. Act 2. 
The Black Emperor's Court. 

Discovered. The Emperor is seated at a table reading from maps. Two generals 
in full uniform stand beside him. 

Emperor. Your plans are excellently laid. Generals. With the wiping out of the 
people of the oil country, I shall take my case before the world court, de- 
manding the addition of the lands to my Empire. I am only awaiting the 
report of Baron Scarth. 

(Scarth enters and salutes) 

Scarth. Your Majesty, something has arisen which makes it necessary for me to 
get your direct orders. An American girl, Mary Hamilton, a sister of Wayne 
Hamilton, the genius of suppHes, has discovered our plans for spreading 
the epidemic. Her lover, the British army surgeon, Capt. Thomas, also 
suspects. We must act quickly. Have I your Majesty's permission? 

Emperor. I am amazed, Baron, at your timidity. Let nothing stand in the way. 
I give you my royal condemnation to death of these two people. 

Scarth. Your Majesty's command will be obeyed. 



Scene 3. Act 2. 
Wing in field Hospital in Belsermania. 

Discovered. Mary Hamilton is lying on a cot and beside her on another cot is 
Capt. Thomas. Dr. Burger stands between the two cots. 

Thomas (hoarsely) I demand that you bring the British Chief of Medical Staff. 

Burger. You amuse me, Capt. Thomas. That cot is your ftmeral couch, because 
you have elected to stand in the way of the Great Emperor. 

Thomas. Then it was you and your fiendish murderers who inoculated Mary Ham- 
ilton and myself because we had discovered yotu: secret. 

Burger. You and the woman are only incidents in our great plan. You should 
be gratified to think that you are dying in the cause of^the Great Emperor. 

Thomas. I may die, but your plans will fail. Before you had me attacked and filled 
me with this terrible disease, I told my discovery to the British Medical 
staff. Even now your scheme is being frustrated. 

Burger. The devil! 

Thomas. Take your vengeance on me, if you will, but in heaven's name do some- 
thing for Miss Hamilton. She has lain in this stupor for hours, since she 
last cried out for water, and fell into imconsciousness. 

(Burger steps to Mary's side and examines her. He finds that she is dead. 
Thomas, who has been watching this, struggles weakly out of his cot and hurls 
himself on Dr. Burger. They struggle for a moment and Thomas falls to the 
floor. Burger examines him and moves the body with his foot. Thomas is dead. 
At this moment Scarth enters and looks inquiringly at Burger.) 

SCARTH. They are both dead? Good! Hold back the report on the woman's death 
for a day. Then notify the American ambulance contingent and have her 
buried with full honors. 

Burger. I understand. In twenty-four hours, I will give out the news of her death. 

ScARTH. But give the correct hour as 3 o'clock in the morning. 

Scene 3. Act 2. 
Banfield's House — same as Scene 2, Act 1. 

Discovered. A group seated about the table in a darkened room, with Alma La 
Guerre acting the part of the medium. Around the table are Hamilton, 
Banfield, Helen, Stone and others. 

Alma. I feel a strange voice calling to me from a great distance. It is the voice of 
one that I know. It is a woman's voice. She is calling for Wayne — Wayne. 

Hamilton. I am Wayne. Who is she? 

Alma. She says she is Mary. She is only over in the spirit world a few moments. 

Hamilton. My God! my sister! 

Alma. She tells me she contracted typhus aiding the stricken people of Belser- 
mania. She she {Alma awakens as from her trance and can go no 

further) 

10 



Hamilton. What is the matter? You have lost commimication with her? 

Alma. What was I saying? 

(The guests rise in amazement as Hamilton totters, staggering under the 
news of his sister's death. Helen puts her arm about him.) 

Helen. Oh, I am so sorry. But perhaps this is not true. It cannot be true, or you 
would have heard by cable. 

Banfield. I will cable immediately. 



Scene 4. Act 2. 
The World Court. Same as Scene 4, Act 1. 

Discovered. The group of counsellors are about the table. The Black Emperor 
is seated with them, watching them vote. The chairman rises and an- 
nounces : 

Chairman. By the vote of the nations of the world, the nationality of Belsermania 
is held intact. No people may be governed against their will. 

Emperor. I will not abide by this vote. I own the lands by right of purchase and 
I will govern them in spite of the world. 

Chairman. This decision means but one thing. The other nations represented at 
this table are bound to fight against you. I beseech your Majesty to con- 
sider well before you destroy the civilization we have built up and plunge 
us into another great conflict. 

Emperor. I have said all I will say. (He rises and departs. The other counsellors 
confer excitedly when he is gone and a vote is taken. The Chairman announces 
the result of the vote) 

Chairman. We, therefore, declare the Emperor and his nation outlawed from the 
face of the earth. We will surround him in a ring of steel by land and sea 
and never again will he be permitted to have dealings with the rest of the 
world. Progress will go on around him and the world will grow in science 
and he will never know. If his people choose to stand by him against the 
rest of Humanity, we will so isolate them that they might as well be living 
on the planet Mars. We must hasten at once to meet the blow that I know 
he will direct against us. Are we agreed to fight the battle of democracy 
against militarism? 

(The Counsellors rise and shout their approval) 



ACT III. 

Scene 1. A town near the Mexican Border. 
A house used as military headquarters. 

Discovered. Hamilton with several generals of the U. S. army. 

Hamilton. We have stopped the rush of the reservists from the Black Emperor's 
country. They can advance no further. 

General. But we seem to make no headway against them. 

11 



Hamilton. I have a plan. Last night a delegation of loyal subjects from the enemy 
country visited me and asked permission to desert to other side in order to 
defeat them. They have gone over a few hours ago. 

An orderly enters as there is the sound of a terrific explosion coming from 
a distance. 

Orderly. Report enemies' first and second line of trenches blown up. 

General. The reservists who were loyal to us have done their work. Give orders 
to charge and completely destroy the enemy. 

{Orderly departs and General with other members of the staff exit. Alma 
enters. She is in uniform of nurse) 

Hamilton. In a few moments we will be victorious. Then we can turn our atten- 
tion to the great struggle in Europe. The Emperor's forces are hemmed in 
everywhere, but in Belsermania. We must drive them back and I have 
been appointed to concentrate supplies. 

Alma. That is glorious. There is but one sorrow connected with it. Your fiancee 
and her uncle are with Spencer Stone in the ranks of the fleeing enemy. I 
am afraid Banfield has deserted America to serve the Emperor. And Miss 
Banfield seems to have cast her lot with them. 

Hamilton. Never. I know that Helen is in the power of Stone. I will never rest 
until I rescue her. 



Scene 2. Act 3. 

A rocky coast. At the water's edge is a small boat and in the 
distance can be seen a submarine. 

Discovered. Several submarine sailors stand by their boat waiting. Banfield, 
Helen and Stone come running. Banfield is dragging Helen, who protests. 

Banfield. All is lost. We must put ourselves under the protection of Mr. Stone. 
If I am caught I will be executed as a traitor. 

Helen. I refuse to go. I hate all your money-making plans. 

Stone. This is no time for discussion. You will either come willingly or you will 
be forced to come. 

{Helen starts to flee when Stone seizes her. The sailors rush up and all enter 
the small boat which is rowed away to the submarine.) 



Scene 3. Act 3. 
A house in Belsermania, back of the firing line. 

Discovered. Hamilton is bending over plans, which he folds up and places in a 
small carrying case. Alma enters and observes him furtively. 

Hamilton. Within a few hours the Black Emperor will be crushed by massed art- 
illery, scientifically hurled against him. The plans are here in my secret 
carrying-case and the exact point of the drive is known only to me and 
the chief of staff. 

12 



Alma. But suppose you should lose the carrying-case. 

Hamilton. That would make no difference. No one could open it safely. It is 
my own invention. If it is opened by anyone who does not know the 
secret, the case will blow itself up, destroying the papers and him who 
opens it. 

{Alma shudders a little. She comes to Hamilton and puts her arm about 
his shoulder. Hamilton pretends not to notice the mark of affection.) 

Hamilton. I feel that Helen is a prisoner of Stone within the enemies' Hnes. My 
greatest hope is that the coming drive will bring me within striking distance 
of Stone. 

Alma. It is too bad that my powers to look into the future seem to have vanished. 
I have tried for your sake to locate Helen. There is no answer. Therefore, 
I believe she is not dead. 

Hamilton. We can but hope for the best. 

Scene 4. Act 3. 
Castle in Belsermania within the Emperor's lines. 

Discovered. Helen and her uncle seated at a table while Stone is standing above 
them. 

Banfield. I realize we are powerless, Baron Stone, but I beg you as a gentleman 
not to take advantage of us. I gave to your Emperor all the knowledge that 
I possessed in the concentration of supplies, and he has rewarded me by 
making me a prisoner and stripping me of everything. 

Stone. Did you think that your personal feeHngs would be considered. There is 
only one law — the law of the Emperor. He has given me permission to 
marry your niece. 

Helen. I will never marry you. I would rather die. 

Stone. You will have time to change your mind. Your lover, Hamilton, is not 
able to save you. He is in the power of Alma, who is working for the Em- 
peror. When she gains his secret our forces will sweep through the alHed 
armies. I have just communicated with her in a lull in the wireless. Your 
very clever lover, Hamilton, has caused the air to be jammed with wireless 
all over the earth to prevent us from getting messages to the outside. But 
every now and then, there comes a pause, and we are able to communicate. 

Helen. If you should win, I will kill myself. 

Stone. Pretty ladies do not kill themselves because they are loved. 

{Banfield rushes upon Stone, who strikes him down. Helen cowers 
against a wall) 

Act 4. Scene 1. 
Forest back of firing line on the allied side in Belsermania. 

Discovered. An aeroplane with an aviator who is waiting as Alma enters. 
Aviator. Quick ! We must cross the line before they discover us. 
Alma. Is there great danger? 

13 



Aviator. Their search lights picked me up through the night as I crossed the 
Hnes. See that beam of Hght traveling over the groimd a few hundred 
yards distant? That is from one of their dirigible balloons trying to pick 
out the spot where I landed. 

Alma. I will be ready in a moment. As soon as I have destroyed this wireless. 

(She goes to the base of a tree down which several wires are leading and 
lifts a few handfuls of earth, disclosing a small box in which there is a telautO' 
graph. She writes a message speaking as she writes: 

Alma. General headquarters. Have discovered point of Hamilton's drive, (a 
pause) Look! Baron Stone is writing on the other end. He has Hamil- 
ton's fiancee prisoner in his castle, only a few miles from here. 

Aviator. Quick! I hear someone coming. 

(The spot of light falls now on the aeroplane) 

Alma. We must destroy this record. 

Aviator. There is not time — Come 

(He seizes her and hurries her to the aeroplane, starting it. They rise in 
the searchlight's beam. Hamilton, with several soldiers, enters) 

(The aeroplane wings off) 

Hamilton. What are these wires? (He examines the telautograph and reads the 
full record) 

My God! I have been tricked. Everything that Alma La Guerre told 
me has been plotted against me. She knew of my sister's death in advance. 
What a fool I have been! How can I ever undo my madness? If I dis- 
close that she allowed me to play the fool, I am ruined. If I do not the 
drive will fail. I must do my duty. 

(A shrapnel shell bursts nearby and Hamilton is knocked unconscious) 



Scene 2. Act 4. 
General's Headquarters of the Emperor's forces. 

Discovered. Stone, Helen and Banfield are standing before the general. 

General. I warn you, Mr. Banfield, that you are to obey the commands of Baron 
Stone imder penalty of death. I will hold you personally responsible for 
the safety of your niece. If she kills herself, you will be executed. 

Helen. In that case I can do nothing but submit. 

Stone. I knew you would see it sensibly. 

(Alma enters with an officer. The general greets her eagerly. Alma bows 
to Helen and Banfield.) 

Alma. I have foimd the point of the drive, which is coming at dawn. 

General. Good! I will gather the staff for a coimcil. (General exits) 

Helen. You miserable woman! 

14 



Stone. Be qmet! 

(Stone seizes the weeping Helen and flings her into a chair. When Ban- 
field tries to defend her, Stone draws his revolver and cows Banfield. Alma 
restrains Stone) 

Alma. This is hardly fair, Baron. There is no credit in persecuting the helpless. 
This girl should be protected. That is the doctrine of our beautiful mili- 
tarism. We represent the strong hand to protect the weak. 

Stone. And have you been foolish enough to really beHeve that there is anything 
in that doctrine? 

Alma. So I have believed and for this I have worked. For this belief, I have 
ruined the man I love. If I did not believe it, I would rather have died. 

Stone. Your ideals are amusing. The Emperor^has none of them, nor have any of 
his generals. It is good that you find this out too late. You will be the 
instrument of defeating the democracy of the world. {Stone exits) 

Alma. Can this be true? Have I been working for an unworthy object? Have I 
sacrificed the only love I have ever known for something that is base and 
imbelievable? 

Helen. They have treated us terribly. If your Emperor wins the world will be 
enslaved. 

Alma. And I have ruined Hamilton. He will be shot as a traitor. 

Helen. What have you done? 

(Alma begins to weep and Helen runs to her comfortingly) 

Helen. You have a heart. Can you not undo the wrong that you have done? 

Alma. There is only one way. To deHver the wrong report and that would mean 
my death. 

Helen. Then you do not love him. If I might save him, I would die. 

(Other generals enter with the first general and are ready for the report. 
Alma shows that she has made a great resolve. She indicates the wrong place 
on the map) 

Alma. Then, General, with your permission, I will depart. 

General. You had better wait imtil the dawn. 

Alma. Do you doubt my report? 

General. I doubt everything, Baroness. We are staking all on your report. If 
you are right, you will be honored. If you are wrong, there is no excuse 
for mistakes. 

(Alma sits nervously while the generals give orders) 

Scene 3. Act 4. 
Near the firing line at dawn. 

Discovered. Hamilton is staggering along. 

Hamilton. If I can only reach them in time to stop the drive. (Sound of guns, 
terrific crashing is heard) 

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Too late, it has begun and all my work is for nothing. The enemy will 
meet our troops and mow them down. 

{More crashing of guns and then the sound of cheering. Several Generals 
enter) 

Hamilton. What has happened? 

General. The drive has begun. We were looking for you all night. Our forces 
are crashing through. There is no opposition. You shall have the honor 
of leading the charge that pushes back the forces of the Emperor into his 
own lines, where we will isolate him for ever. 



Scene 4. Act 4. 
Room in Stone's castle. 

Discovered. Alma, Banfield and Helen sitting, holding their hands over their 
ears as the awful crashing of artillery sounds without. Helen rushes to 
the window. 

Helen. They are fleeing this way. The allied forces are driving them. 

Alma. Then I have a chance of rescue. 

(Stone and a general enter) 

Stone. There is the traitress. 

(The General shoots Alma. Banfield struggles with Stone, and wrests 
his revolver away from him. Banfield shoots the General, who falls, Banfield 
and Helen crouch against the wall. The revolver is empty. Stone closes with 
Banfield and they fight about the floor. Several soldiers enter. Banfield is 
killed. Stone has Helen in his arms when there is a great crashing at the door 
and Hamilton, with several of his men, enters. He overpowers Stone and 
rescues Helen) 

Scene 5. Act 4. 

The Worid Court. 

Discovered. The counsellors in session. Helen and Hamilton are standing near 
the head of the table where there is a great collection of flags. Chairman 
begins to address them: 

Chairman. We are met again in the more perfect League of Nations. As you all 
know, the Emperor has committed suicide and the representatives of his 
now democratic nation are joined with us in council. The punishment 
we dealt out to him will be a warning to others. There shall be no more 
wars of aggression. Before we begin our meeting we will typify the spirit 
of the world. 

{Helen steps forward and reaches out her arms for the flags of all the 
nations. Chairman speaks) 

Chairman. The symbol of our brotherhood— HUMANITY! 

{Helen sweeps out her arms embracing all the flags and folds them in a 
tangle to her breast while all the counsellors spring to their feet and cheer) 

{Curtain) 



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